Frida: Four-Factor Rapid Interactive Diagnostic Assessment
Frida is a platform for the adaptive administration of psychometric scales. It dynamically selects the most informative items based on responses, reducing test duration and improving estimation accuracy.
How was Frida developed?
Frida was designed for users who want to quickly monitor their psychological well-being. The system uses Item Response Theory (IRT) models and the mirtCAT package to adapt the sequence of questions in real time, ensuring a balance between test brevity and accuracy.
Online self-assessment tools are not diagnostic instruments. If the result indicates a significant level of distress, share your results with a healthcare professional: psychological suffering can be successfully prevented and treated. The authors from the University of Ferrara decline any responsibility for risks or losses resulting from the use of the calculator.
Frida is based on calibration and validation studies of the item bank conducted by the Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation of the University of Ferrara, with the support of the mirt and mirtCAT packages.
FRIDA: A Four-Factor Adaptive Screening Tool for Demoralization, Anxiety, Irritability, and Depression in Hospital Patients
The name 'Frida' comes from the acronym Four-Factor Rapid Interactive Diagnostic Assessment and is inspired both by the artist Frida and by the name of Prof. Murri's cat, the author of the test.
How Frida works
Frida is a web platform that uses IRT models to adaptively assess the psychological well-being of people with oncological conditions. By answering questions about depressive symptoms, emotional states, and aspects of daily life, Frida dynamically selects the most informative items and returns a personalized score for each dimension assessed.
How is the Frida platform used?
Frida processes the information provided by the user (or healthcare professional) and calculates scores across multiple psychological dimensions, including depression, anxiety, and demoralization. Results are expressed as probabilities or severity levels, useful for early identification of at-risk situations.
Frida indicates a high risk: what should I do?
A high score is not a reason to panic: depression, anxiety, hostility, and demoralization can be prevented and treated. Effective approaches include psychological, pharmacological, behavioral, or combined interventions (8–10). Regular physical activity can improve mood and reduce the risk of depression (11). Some risk factors are modifiable, for example by treating sleep disorders or pain, or engaging in pleasant activities.
If you have doubts or persistent symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.
Project Authors
| Martino Belvederi Murri 1,2 ORCID | 1,2 |
| Angela Muscettola 1,* | 1 |
| Michele Specchia 2 | 2 |
| Chiara Montemitro 1,2 | 1,2 |
| Luigi Zerbinati 1,2 | 1,2 |
| Marco Cruciata 1 | 1 |
| Tommaso Toffanin 1,2 | 1,2 |
| Guido Sciavicco 3 ORCID | 3 |
| Rosangela Caruso 1,2 ORCID | 1,2 |
| Luigi Grassi 1,2 ORCID | 1,2 |
| Maria Giulia Nanni 1,2 | 1,2 |
1: University of Ferrara; 2: AUSL Ferrara; 3: University of Ferrara (ACLAI Lab). * Corresponding author.